Western cyclone., 1887-09-30

UOuo 10 U6 UIOppou 81 COO14y AO
cried. Then, in a lower tone, with
swift glance into her pale face: "May
1 call this evening, Miss Kittie ? |
have something-to-@
He stopped short, surprised at the
cold expression which froze the sweet
face.
81 am sorry, but 1 am engaged"
the low voice returned coldly.
He looked disappointed, but her de-
meanOr was so cE lily that there was
no recourse bu. 10 pass on.
II wish l had dared congratulate
him." said Kittie, to herself, as she
hurried onward, "but of course must
not betray Leila. But oh, Heaven!
who would have believed such thing
of Val Darlington? Why he has all
but asked me to become his wife!
And oh! what shall l do? l have
learned to--to-care for him. l shall
die of shame if any one suspects the
truth"
Days passed, and the two who had
been such good friends drifted slowly
apart, and Kitty began to lose her in
terest in life for the sake of the love
which she must conquer, and which
now seemed to her a veritable delu-
sion.
She met Val Darlington frequently
at a ball, at german, upon the
streets, and at the houses of her
friends.
But nobody ever limited at his APP
n m
to the conclusion that for once Sc
cret had been faithfully kept.
One morning she read in the daily
paper the arrival at fashionable no
tel Of "Mr. John Hercy and niece,
Miss Lola Percy, from Florida,
She compressed her lips firmly, and
her face grew slowly pale.
1t was the twentieth Of November
now; only six days from that appoint
ed for the marriage to take place
She laid the paper down with a
sigh, and arose to her feet.
II will go out for Walk she ex-
claimed. The fresh air will do me
goodW
"She was equipped for the street,
and had just descended the staircase
into the entrance hall, when the door
bell rang, and, moment later, the
servant had admitted Van Darlington.
1t was the first call that he had made
alone at the home of Kittie Alleyne
since the day when she had heard of
his approaching marriage.
And she could not escape him, for
he had entered the house, and stood
before her, even while she paused I'M
decided what step to take.
She shrank from tete-G-tete, and
would have died before she would let
him read her heart, and learn her
miserable secret
But she noticed, for the first time,
how pale and haggard he was looking
not like happy bridegroom at all.
She led the way to the drawing
and. once there, he caught her hands
in his.
"Kittie, what is the matter?' he de-
manded. 81 must know! | will not be
repulsed any longer! Tell me-what is
WrOng?"
How could she tell him that, because
she had heard Of his app oaching mar
riage. she had not dared to go on in
the old friendly way? Something gave
her courage
"Mr. Darlington, you are to be mar
ried next Thursday" she began coldly;
''why should it matter to YOU whether
am cold to you or otherwise"
He ga2ed into her face with eyes full
of utter CONSERVATION.
81 have read somewhere that there
never was secret" ne burst forth at
length, "an1 [ began to believe it!
Kittie g. God heavens!--h in the
world did YOU ever hear that?'
The time for concealment was past;
Kittie told him all in a few words.
He burst into hearty laugh, VIII CHI
died upon his lips, and his face grew
dark.
"Til never forgive Charlie Gordon"
he exclaimed. 1T was contemplate.
Kittie, there has been a secret, but next
Thursday will see TINT secret exposed.
| intended to cO2lide it TO you, and
ask your advice and assistance,
perhaps; but you remember l request
ed permission to call, and Won treated
me coldly-shamefully, Klttie; and
done look SO indignant. You see.
dear, it is my brother Van who is to
marry Miss Percy next Thursday.
Ana it was kept secret, because Lola's
aunt opposed the match For Lola is
an orphan living with her uncle John
Percy, and his wife diSlikes Van
simply because she wishes to force
Lola into distasteful marriage with
a rich old man. Well, the aunt is here,
and a5 Van and Lola hal set their
weddingday, and the uncle approved,
| they did no. wish Old Mrs. Percv's in
| reference. That accounts for the
secrecy (Mr. Tinselle knew all from the
first, and why | should buy the ring
instead of Van. 1t threw suspicion
| upon me, but [ would have explained